Business Development Executive

Position: Business Development Executive

Type: Full time, temporary, 1-year fixed term

Department: Business Development

Reporting to: Senior Business Development Manager

Salary Range: £26,715 £32,857

Location: 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB

About Us

Visit Belfast is the official destination marketing and management organisation (DMMO) for the Belfast City Region. We are responsible for promoting Belfast as a leading city break, business events and cruise ship destination, providing visitor servicing to warmly welcome visitors to the region. We are an innovative, public/private sector partnership funded and supported by Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland and the private sector.

Visit Belfast represents nearly 500 tourism businesses across the industry including accommodation providers, attractions, venues, experience providers, tour operators, transport providers, restaurants and cafes, pubs, clubs and event organisers.

We are a multi-award winning organisation that is set to deliver over 850,000 visits, 450,000 bednights and £141m in economic impact to the city region in 25/26 through our focus on short breaks, business events, cruise and visitor servicing activity.

About This Role

This role is based in Visit Belfast's Business Development Directorate as part of our Business Events Sales Team.

Our multi award-winning business team are responsible for promoting Belfast and Northern Ireland across the UK & Ireland, Europe and US as a leading destination for conferences, meetings and events.

The team work with our industry partners to identify and convert new business for Belfast and the wider region. This role involves working with our partners, and our local ambassador network to attract high-value business events for the city in a range of key sectors from life and health sciences, technology, agri-food, advanced manufacturing and business/professional services.

Purpose

Working as part of the Business Events Team, the postholder will be responsible for identifying, prospecting and generating qualified new opportunities to build Belfast's conference, meetings and events sales pipeline. They will engage with associations, corporate organisations, event planners, professional conference organisers (PCOs), agencies and members of Visit Belfast's NI Ambassador Network to research and qualify opportunities that support the team's annual sales targets.

The successful candidate will support Visit Belfast's strategic objectives by increasing the pipeline of business events that deliver economic impact, enhance Belfast's profile as a leading business events destination and contribute to the city's growth ambitions.

Duties & Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth sales research to identify and qualify new business event opportunities for Belfast and support lead generation and sales targets.

Utilise digital tools, CRM insights, team and industry research to understand event requirements and potential for Belfast as well as client and competitor insight.

Research association meetings, corporate events and sector-specific conferences aligned with Belfast's and Northern Ireland's key economic sectors.

Assist the team in development and delivery of business development and sales campaigns.

Support the Business Development Manager in researching and qualifying opportunities through the NI Ambassador Network both identifying potential new ambassadors and surfacing opportunities through the existing network.

Develop new business event opportunities through outbound prospecting to associations, corporate organisations and PCOs (professional conference organisers) and event owners.

Ensure all lead management activities comply with Visit Belfast policies and procedures.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date lead and contact records and comprehensive notes within the CRM system.

Assist the Business Development Manager and Business Events Account Managers in building and assessing the pipeline of qualified conference, meeting and business event leads.

Work closely with the team to progress leads compiling briefing and profile notes on CRM ahead of sales meetings and handovers, ensuring a seamless transition from research to business development.

Support follow-up communications to keep leads warm between initial contact and handover to a Business Development Manager.

Track lead progression, sales stage, conversion rates and targets and produce regular sales pipeline updates for the team and senior management.

Monitor industry intelligence, market trends and competitor activity to identify emerging opportunities for Belfast.

Support the development and updating of business events marketing content, including bids, proposals, presentations and business events website.

Assist digital marketing initiatives relating to business events, including campaigns and promotional activity.

Attend tradeshows and events to generate leads and promote Belfast, as required.

Work effectively as part of a team and with other Visit Belfast departments.

Undertake other duties as required by the Head of Business Events.

To undertake work out of normal office hours as required.

To carry out all duties with full regard to Visit Belfast's equal opportunities and fair employment policies.

Travel on behalf of Visit Belfast is an essential part of the job.

Clean driving license and access to a car for work purposes is desirable.

To undertake any other duties as required by Visit Belfast.

Personal Specification

Essential

Qualifications

Degree level qualification, or equivalent, (i.e. Bachelor's Degree with Honours, Bachelor's Degree etc.) in a relevant discipline.

Relevant Experience

Minimum of one year experience in sales, business development and/or research.

Experience of meeting targets and key performance indicators.

Experience of working in a target driven environment.

Proficiency in all key Microsoft Office platforms.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Special Aptitudes

Strong research and analytical skills.

Strong organisational and project management capabilities.

Monitoring and evaluation skills.

Strong attention to detail.

Fully IT literate.

Decision making ability to make operational decisions in an effective manner to achieve objectives.

Ability to work as a team.

Self-motivated and ability to work on own initiative.

Circumstances

Available to work outside normal hours.

Willing to travel occasionally.

Desirable

Qualifications

Degree level qualification, or equivalent, (i.e. Bachelor's Degree with Honours, Bachelor's Degree etc.) in Business, Tourism, Events or Marketing.

Relevant Experience

Experience using digital packages (such as SalesForce or CRM, Canva and digital research tools systems).

Knowledge of the tourism, events and hospitality sector.

Working knowledge and understanding of business tourism, conferences, meetings and events sector.

What We Offer

Attractive pension scheme with a 19.7% employer contribution.

25 days annual leave (pro rata) with an additional 11 public holidays.

Hybrid working (3 office days and 2 days working from home).

Opportunity to work at a city-level, working with leading industry partners and where you can make a real impact.

Inclusive working environment with regular staff engagement events and activities.

Opportunity to work in a dynamic, fun and welcoming industry.

How to Apply

CVs should be sent to:

Closing date: 12pm, Friday 14th August 2026.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Visit Belfast is an equal opportunities employer.

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